Presentation FSA

1. A N A P P R O A C H T O S P E C I A L E D U C A T I O N
B Y A L E X M I L H A V E N
CO-TEACHING

2. THE APPROACHES
1. One teach, One observe
2. One teach, One assist
3. Parallel teaching
4. Station teaching
5. Alternative teaching
6. Team teaching

3. ONE TEACH, ONE OBSERVE
• Suggested to be used sparingly and specifically in the
classroom.
• One teacher is leading the lesson the other is collecting
observational data during the lesson.
• Positives of using this approach:
• Easy way to collect observational data.
• Negatives of using this approach:
• One teacher feels more weight of the work load.

4. ONE TEACH, ONE ASSIST
• Suggested to be used under 10% of the time in the
classroom- used sparingly.
• One teacher is the clear lead in the classroom, the other
is assisting students when necessary.
• Positives of using this approach:
• Very little planning time required- if common planning time is an
issue, this approach works well.
• Negatives of using this approach:
• The assisting teacher might begin to feel more like a teacher’s
assistant.
• One teacher is taking on the work load.

5. PARALLEL TEACHING
• Suggested to be used about 30% of the time in the
classroom.
• The students are split in half and each taught the same
content by one of the two educators in the room.
• Positives of using this method:
• Smaller groups are sometimes preferable to one large group.
• Negatives of using this method:
• Space- there is often times not enough room in a classroom for
two groups to be taught at the same time.

6. STATION TEACHING
• Suggested to be used more frequently than parallel teaching.
• The students are split into small groups around the room.
Stations can be teacher instructed, independent, or
technology based. The groups then rotate through the
stations.
• Positives of using this strategy:
• Sometimes smaller student-to-teacher ratio for a lesson is ideal.
• Differentiation is much easier
• Negatives of using this strategy:
• Timing needs to be just right so students and teachers do not feel
rushed.
• Tedious to teach the same thing to different groups numerous times
in a day.

7. ALTERNATIVE TEACHING
• Suggested to be used frequently in the classroom.
• A small group of students receive intensive instruction by
one teacher while the other teacher instructs the rest of
the students. The small group can be receiving
remediation or extension.
• Positives for using this model:
• Re-teaching, pre-teaching, skills assessment, skills remediation,
and extension are much easier to accomplish.
• Negatives for using this model:
• If groups are not switched every time students may begin to feel
singled out.

8. TEAM TEACHING
• Suggested to be used specifically and sparingly in the
classroom.
• Both teachers co-lead the whole class.
• Positives of using this model:
• Some students will benefit from having both teachers at the front
of the room.
• The back and forth nature creates an engaging environment for
students.
• Negatives of using this model:
• One teacher can easily end up overpowering the other teacher.

9. STEPS TO SUCCESS
1. Establish rapport.
2. Identify your teaching styles and use them to create a
cohesive classroom.
3. Discuss strengths and weaknesses.
4. Discuss Individualized Education Plans and regular
education goals.
5. Formulate a plan of action and act as a unified team.
6. Take risks and grow.